Alternative Energy Research Paper

1825 WordsDec 6th, 20108 Pages

Prof. C
Comp. 1-Research Paper
7 Nov. 2008 Within the next few years, one can expect to see a vast change in the way that mankind harnesses energy. Alternative fuels will play a colossal role in what has become one of our generation’s largest challenges, limited supplies of fossil fuels. Scientists have been working for years to develop alternative methods to power the globe given that materials such as coal and oil are not renewable resources. Once they are used up, they are gone forever. New forms of energy have to be developed but what other sources are there and where will each work best? With fuel prices increasing every year and the theory that CO2 emissions from coal and petroleum products are heating up the globe,…show more content…

One of the most common alternative energy resources that is getting more popular with every passing year is solar energy. Solar energy has been used by humans for thousands of years. People would use it to help start fires or to keep their houses warm. But it was not until 1839 that photovoltaic activity was first shown by Edmond Becquerel. He noticed that certain materials, when exposed to light, could increase their electrical current (History of solar energy). In 1905 Albert Einstein clearly described the photoelectric effect, which is the principle on which photovoltaic is based. In 1954, scientists found that silicon found in sand created an electric charge when it was exposed to sunlight. The first long term practical use of solar cells was in that of a satellite called Vanguard 1 in 1958. This satellite was powered completely by the sun and proved just how efficient that solar electricity could become. After the energy crisis in the 1970’s, people began to realize how dependent we were on non- renewable resources and solar energy as a result became much more popular (History of solar energy). Solar comes from the Latin word for sun. The sun has proven to be the most powerful source of energy. If we could somehow harness all of the sun’s energy hitting the earth for just one hour, it would meet the energy needs of the entire world for a solid year (Energy Kids Page). We can use

can never be reversed and will continue to harm our planet; however there are many systems of alternative energy that could be implemented in order to reduce this damage. This is why I believe that our government should endorse alternative energy and set regulations in order to promote the use of alternative energy.
Wind energy is a current source for alternative energy. Current applications of wind energy are giant wind turbines that are placed in the country on wide open farm lands. Also Great Britain…

Alternative Sources for Energy
Millions and millions of barrels of oil, coal, and natural gases are being pumped out of the ground on a daily basis. These fuels are being used to heat homes, run machines, and take people from place to place. It has become a part of everyday living; just as essential as food and water. The more resources that is being pumped, the more people want it. Society has an insatiable thirst for this form of energy that is unyielding. It is a never ending cycle of supply…

a major problem. This problem is the need for alternative energy sources which can be converted into electricity because the main energy source currently used is coal and the coal deposits will not last forever. The main alternative energy sources that many countries are currently researching are wind, solar, hydro and nuclear. But there is currently another source of energy that is heavily debated to see whether the pros outweigh the cons. This energy source is natural gas. The main reason for the…

warming. As gas prices steadily rise, people need a newer, cleaner source of energy. The alternatives are numerous and would be beneficial to the well being of the whole world. The human race must replace its fossil fuel use with renewable resources in order to prosper economically and to improve the world ecologically.
Renewable resources are much cleaner and more ecologically friendly than fossil fuels. Renewable sources of energy do not pollute the environment and also do not release toxic carbon dioxide…

In the world today, alternative energy source which is an alternative to fossil fuel and nuclear energy is becoming more and more of a necessity. Right now, the world’s population growth has caused an increase in the energy demand. Rosenberg (2009) pointed out that the world’s current growth rate is about 1.14%, representing a doubling time of 61 years. OECD's International Energy Agency[IEA] (2014) found that from 2011 to 2035 the world energy demand is likely to rise by more than two-thirds. Though…

The nuclear energy debate has persisted for decades. Those who strongly oppose it argue that its benefits, such as carbon-free emissions and low fuel costs, are almost irrelevant when the risk posed by radioactive waste and reactor meltdowns are factored in. The problem revolves around how little waste storage is prioritized in the planning stages of a reactor, including the locations of waste storage, leading to a surplus of radioactive waste at reactor sites. With the progress being made…

Alternative Energy Vehicles
Interested in alternative-energy driven cars? Here is a brief synopsis of the existing technologies, some of the problems surrounding each of them, and suggestions for further reading.
There is no question that pollution from automobiles is a major problem in industrialized countries and is increasing in developing nations. And the number of cars is increasingly rapidly: in the United States, the automobile population has increased 6X faster than the human population…

years was the use of alternative energy. Alternative Energy is being increasingly used due to “The threat of global warming.” (Tom Udall, “Clean Energy,” par. 3). The result of the burning of fossil fuels and fossil fuels are soon depleting and alternative energies will be the ways that people will be living in the near future. As the positives of alternative energy will provide a healthier and cleaner future, cost is something people underestimate. The price of alternative energy will increase our…

Alternative energies are the future of power. They will be the power that will sustain human life until the end. This is why the United States government should invests more towards the research and use of alternative energies. Alternative energies are any energy that will replace fossil fuels. Some common alternative energies are solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, hydrogen, and biofuels. The U.S. should use those alternative energies over fossil fuels, Petroleum (oil), coal…

Global Warming and Alternative Energy
People are inflicting major damage to the Earth's environment, and if we don't do anything to stop the destruction soon, the results could be devastating. Most people know about global warming and think it may be a serious problem in the future. What most people don't understand is that global warming is happening now, and we are already feeling some of its destructive power. Because of the dangerous effects of global warming, alternative energy sources need to…